ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 31, 2011) Teenagers across Maryland are trading their cell phones and MP3 players for binoculars, insect nets and specimen jars as they return to the great outdoors to compete in the first round of environmental qualifying heats leading up to the 2011 Canon Envirothon, North America\u2019s largest environmental education competition for high school students.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnvirothon is an excellent way to engage young people in the natural world as opposed to the virtual world of computers and other electronic media,\u201d said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. \u201cYoung people represent the next generation of farmers, natural resource managers and environmental leaders.\u00a0\u00a0 Envirothon allows them to experience real life environmental issues first hand while honing their problem solving skills. It\u2019s a great program all around.”<\/p>\n
Students participating in the Envirothon have been studying the state\u2019s natural resources over the course of the school year.\u00a0 As part of this extracurricular training, teenagers identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys, estimate wood yield from trees, and solve other complex natural resource issues. They receive hands-on instruction from soil scientists, wildlife specialists, foresters and environmental engineers from local, state and federal agencies as well as private environmental organizations. The program also focuses on a special environmental issue that changes from year to year.\u00a0 This year\u2019s environmental issue is estuaries.<\/p>\n
Teams compete by applying their knowledge and problem-solving skills in these areas. The county team with the highest cumulative total wins the local or regional competition and advances to the Maryland Envirothon scheduled for June 15-16, 2011 at St. Mary\u2019s College in historic St. Mary\u2019s City.\u00a0\u00a0 The winner of the Maryland Envirothon will represent the state later this summer at the 2011 Canon Envirothon where more than 300 of the brightest teenagers from the United States and Canada will compete for $40,000 in scholarships and prizes.<\/p>\n
Envirothon is sponsored by Maryland\u2019s soil conservation districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee. The dates and contacts for upcoming county Envirothon competitions are listed below.<\/p>\n
Allegany Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 8, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rocky Gap State Park
\nContact:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Craig Hartsock, 301-777-1747, ext. 3<\/p>\n
Anne Arundel Envirothon Competition
\nDate: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 8, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center
\nContact: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Czajkowski, Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District, (410) 571-6757<\/p>\n
Baltimore County Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 14, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Days Cove Nature Center
\nContact: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jim Ensor, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District, (410) 527-5920<\/p>\n
Calvert Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 6, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 King\u2019s Landing Park
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William Clark, Calvert Soil Conservation District, 410-535-1521, ext. 3<\/p>\n
Carroll Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0April 20, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Hashawha\/Bear Branch Center
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Ed Null, Carroll Soil Conservation District, (410) 848-8200<\/p>\n
Cecil Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May 11, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fair Hill Nature Center
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charles Hayes, Cecil Soil Conservation District, (410) 398-4411<\/p>\n
Charles Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 27, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gilbert Run Park
\nContact:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dee Dee Saunders, Charles Soil Conservation District, (301) 934-9588<\/p>\n
Frederick County Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 26, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cunningham Falls State Park, William Houck Area
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Barry Burch, Walkersville High School, 240-236-7297<\/p>\n
Garrett Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May 12, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Western Maryland 4-H Center at Bittinger
\nContact:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shaun Sanders, Garrett Soil Conservation District, 301-334-6950, ext. 3<\/p>\n
Harford Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 28, 2011
\nLocation:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eden Mill Nature Center
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Marsden, Eden Mill Nature Center, 410-836-3050<\/p>\n
Howard Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 12, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Howard County Conservancy\u2019s Mount Pleasant Farm, Woodstock.
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kristal M. McCormick, Howard Soil Conservation District, (410) 489-7987<\/p>\n
Montgomery Envirothon Competition
\nDate: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 13, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Agricultural History Farm Park
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Plummer or James Harne, Montgomery Soil Conservation District, (301) 590-2855<\/p>\n
Prince George\u2019s Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May 11, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William S. Schmidt Center
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Debbie Sandlin, Prince George\u2019s Soil Conservation District, (301) 574-5162, ext. 3<\/p>\n
St. Mary\u2019s Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 13, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hunter\u2019s Hill Farm
\nContact:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hayley Carter, St. Mary\u2019s Soil Conservation District, (301) 475-8402, ext. 3<\/p>\n
Washington County Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 15, 2011
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fairview Outdoor School
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elmer Weibley or Ginger Noble, Washington County Soil Conservation District, (301)797-6821, ext. 3.<\/p>\n
Eastern Shore Regional Envirothon Competition
\nDate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First week of May 2011 (date to be determined)
\nCounties:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Teams from Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne\u2019s, Somerset and Talbot counties will participate.
\nPlace:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To be determined.
\nContact:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karen Miller, Kent Soil and Water Conservation District, (410) 778-5150, ext. 3<\/p>\n
# # #<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 31, 2011) Teenagers across Maryland are trading their cell phones and MP3 players for binoculars, insect nets and specimen jars as they return to the great outdoors to compete in the first round of environmental qualifying heats leading up to the 2011 Canon Envirothon, North America\u2019s largest environmental education competition for high Read the Rest…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[94,175],"class_list":["post-867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release","tag-environmental-education","tag-teens"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=867"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":868,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867\/revisions\/868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}